Loss Leader: Employees Dump 924 Pounds in Wellness Weight Loss Challenge

June 4, 2009
Arthur Middleton Capital Holdings Inc. is holding a lunch on June 5 to honor employees. It’s a good bet that the luncheon will feature healthy food choices, since the event honors the hard work and efforts of 132 associates who took part in the company’s weight-loss challenge.

“We want our associates to be healthy,” Human Resource Benefits Manager Kimberlea Guerra said. “It’s important to us, it’s important to them and it’s important to their families. We emphasize its importance through contests like the weight-loss challenge and our free Wellness and Fitness Center which is offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to our associates and spouses.”

Group and individual prizes will be announced at the luncheon.

Dan Calvo II, a resource planning analyst, lost 22 pounds during the contest. His strategy included walking 4 miles a day, portion control of his diet and restricting himself to around 1,800 calories a day.

“The company’s weight-challenge was an excellent excuse to get back into shape,” he said. “After the weight-loss competition is over, a few members of the team will still continue to lose more weight. We weigh in every Friday as a team. This holds everyone accountable and keeps up the motivation to lose more weight.”

Sales Center Development Supervisor Severena Strothers, who lost 24 pounds, said,
“I work out 5 days a week and make sure I count calories. I definitely feel better. When I look in a mirror, I don’t hate what I see. I like working in teams. It’s very motivating to have people count on me.”

Since the company’s Wellness Center opened two summers ago, Senior Programmer/Analyst Lisa Little has lost 35 pounds. She attributes her success to having the wellness center on site.

A big change in diet helped too, she said. “I knew it was important to get my metabolism going and to lay off of both alcoholic beverages and diet soda,” Little admitted. “I made big changes to both my eating habits and my workout routine. I eat every 3 hours and really pay attention to portion size. I allow myself one meal a week where I can have anything I want, but I make sure to work out extra hard on that day or the following day.”

Sponsored Recommendations

March 13, 2025
Learn about the main differences between OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001, and how ISO 45001 takes a proactive approach to prevent work-related incidents. Find out why businesses should...
March 13, 2025
Avetta is a leader in contractor management, and with over 15 years of industry experience, we can help you establish a robust contractor pre-qualification program that aligns...
March 13, 2025
EQT commits to supporting Avetta in its ongoing growth and innovation journey.
March 13, 2025
Learn OSHA workplace lighting requirements to enhance safety, productivity, and quality. Discover standards, compliance benefits, and risks of non-compliance.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!